THINGS TO DO

Achieving greater efficiency and integrating supply chain operations will be accomplished in a number of ways next year, from implementing new warehouse management systems to using multitemperature trucks to haul a variety of products in one trip.Several distributors also cited the increased importance of cross docking to their operations in 1998. Spartan Stores, Grand Rapids, Mich., for example,

Achieving greater efficiency and integrating supply chain operations will be accomplished in a number of ways next year, from implementing new warehouse management systems to using multitemperature trucks to haul a variety of products in one trip.

Several distributors also cited the increased importance of cross docking to their operations in 1998. Spartan Stores, Grand Rapids, Mich., for example, plans a cross-docking interface with its billing system that will allow the wholesaler t